Aga Khan divorce

A French court has ruled it can hear the divorce application made by top racehorse owner and breeder the Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan, 66, a British citizen, is the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community of about 20 million followers.

The court said it would also rule on any financial maintenance payable during the divorce proceedings, the statement quoted the Aga Khan's French lawyer Laurent Chambaz as saying.

The Aga Khan and his wife, whose maiden name was Gabriele Zu Leiningen, have been separated for a year. The couple married in Gouvieux, France, in May 1998 and signed a prenuptial agreement on asset separation in France, the Aga Khan's office said.

They have a 4-year-old son, Prince Aly.